GAURS BREAK THE STEEL BARRIER

12 Jan 201806:01am IST

12 Jan 201806:01am IST

Report byTeam Herald sports@herald-goa.com

FC Goa’s Lanzarote scores first goal of the contest from the spot in opening period while Jamshedpur FC equalises through Trindade early in the second half; Manuel nets second on the hour-mark to secure three points

FATORDA: FC Goa ended their three-match winless run as Manuel Lanzarote scored a fine brace to continue his form to down Jamshedpur FC 2-1 in the Hero Indian Super League match played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday.

With this win, FC Goa moved to the fourth position of the points table and now are in race for the play-off spot.

Manuel Lanzarote scored the first goal of the contest from the spot in the opening period, while Trindade Goncalves netted early in the second half for Jamshedpur. Lanzarote then scored his second of the night on the hour-mark to secure maximum points for his side.

Jamshedpur FC started the match positively and went close to breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute after earning a free-kick in a dangerous area following Ahmed Jahouh’s foul. Trindade stepped up and produced a venomous effort that was inches wide of the target to the relief of the home support.

Izu Azuka then went close for the visitors after a delightful turn that left a Goan defender on the floor. The Nigerian followed up his turn and unleashed a stinging effort from range that whistled fractions wide off goal.

FC Goa only started to grow into the match towards the end of the half with Narayan Das taking their first attempt of any note seven minutes before half-time. The Indian full-back’s shot just sailed over the bar but had Jamshedpur’s goalkeeper Subrata Paul on his toes.

The game completely turned on its head in the 42nd minute after Andre Bikey was adjudged to have brought down Brandon Fernandes in the penalty box. Lanzarote stepped up and put the ball into the left corner but the referee wanted the Spaniard to retake the spot-kick. Unperturbed, the Goa playmaker slotted the ball into the same corner with aplomb again to give his team a 1-0 advantage at half-time.

Crossing over, Jamshedpur FC came out all guns firing as well in a bid to get back in the game. The Men of Steel bombarded the rival citadel and were finally managed to equalise the score in the 54th minute. Jerry picked up the ball on the right wing from a clearance and curled a pin point pass towards the centre of the box where Trindade rose highest and headed it past Kattimani who was rooted to the spot.

The Gaurs then began to settle down once more as they looked for a way ahead in the match. Ferran Corominas received the ball in the centre of the park in the 59th minute and charged at goal before unleashing an effort that went just wide of the post.

A minute later, the Gaurs were back in front. Brandon took possession of the ball in the centre and threaded a neat through pass to Lanzarote who ran at goal, turned the defender and curled a shot at the far post to restore the lead.

Jamshedpur FC had the chance to restore parity once again in the 68th minute after substitute Farukh Choudhary found himself with the ball at his feet in a scramble. He failed to test Kattimani however as the chance went begging.

The Men of Steel pushed hard as Belfort made a nuisance of himself in the box. The Gaurs however, had a chance to extend their lead in the 77th minute as Corominas played Mandar Rao Desai through brilliantly. The winger’s shot however flew above the crossbar.

The Gaurs were sitting behind, soaking in the pressure and playing on the counter and should have increased their lead in the 86th minute when Manvir played the ball forward for Edu Bedia who ran at Pal, rounded him but somehow hit the post with the goal at his mercy. Thereafter, the Gaurs defended resolutely through seven minutes of injury time and held out for a narrow win.